Assabet Students Know Their Faux (Finish)

Submitted by Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School

What do students in the Painting and Design program have in common with
artisans from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome? They all used the decorative
painting technique called faux finishing.

A Shrewsbury student has brought home a first place award, and another received an honorable mention, in a competition featuring faux finishing.

In November, Painting and Design students competed in the Annual Faux Finish Contest held by The Painting and Decorating Contractors of America in Salem, MA. Faux is a French term meaning fake or false, which describes a broad spectrum of paint effects that imitate polished stone, wood, aged plaster and a variety of other elements found in nature. Egyptian artists created painted wood effects in the tombs of the Pharaohs, Greeks created marble finishes in their elaborate temples, and the Romans utilized these techniques in their homes, businesses, and their public buildings. The art of faux was perfected during the golden age of painting in Renaissance Europe.

Today, faux painting is a specialized skill used in upscale homes and businesses. The work created by our students for this competition was as awe inspiring as those created by artisans from long ago.

The exhibition contained faux artwork done by high school students from
four area schools. In all, there were about 150 decorative panels on display and the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School students walked away with eight of the 15 medalist ribbons awarded, and eight honorable mention awards as well.

Bringing home First Place ribbons were Mattea Hakala, Clinton, Ashley Wassel, Shrewsbury, Kelsey Ruiz, Hudson, and Ashlyn Colon, Marlborough.

A Second Place ribbon was awarded to Michael Santos, Hudson, and Third Place
ribbons were earned by Jennifer Janeiro, Hudson, Madison Coburn, Westborough, and Cathrine Dicelie, Boylston.

Honorable Mention ribbon recipients were Erin Macora, Marlborough, Shelly Comeau, Boylston, Meghan Agnew, Marlborough, Kelsey Moriarty, Hudson,
Elizabeth Lowe, West Boylston, Kayla Baker, Shrewsbury, Elizabeth
Carney, Marlborough, and Randi Reardon, Clinton.

Entries were painted on an 18” x 24” panel and had to clearly demonstrate
one of the following techniques: Faux marble/polished stone, Woodgraining,
Wall glazing, Textured/decorative plaster, or Mixed techniques. Students were
required to submit a process paper with their panel that detailed the methods
used to create the decorative finish.

Assabet instructor, John Hughes, was fairly confident that his students would be earning some high praise, but even he was pleasantly surprised at the number of awards they received.

“The amount of the medalist ribbons our students received says a lot about the dedication and commitment they put into their work," he said. "The judges, who were national experts in the field, were impressed by the high quality of contest entries submitted by our students. I am especially proud that this talented group took their skills to a higher level.”